Governor.



E. L. NANCE.

GOVERNOR.

APPLICATION TILED IAR. 29, 1910.

Patented Mar.7,1911.

2 Bums-sum 1.

, R m m. V, W

E. L. NANCE.

GOVERNOR. APPLIOATIOK IiLED 1113.29, 1910.

986,022. 1 Patented ]!t[a, r.7,1911.

2 BEBET8-8HEET 2 ERNEST. 4. NHNCE ERNEST L. NANCE, or sT. LOUIS, MISSOURI.

GOVERNOR.

Specification of Letters Patent.

Patented Mar. '7, 1 911.

Application filed March 29, 1910. Serial No. 552,155.

To all whom it may concern:

Be it known that I, ERNEST L. NANCE, a citizen of the United States, residing at'St. Louis, Missouri, have invented a certain new and useful Improvement in Governors, of which the following is a full, clear, and exact description, such as will enable others skilled in the art to which it appertains to make and use the same, reference being had to the accompanying drawings, forming part of this specification, in which- Figure 1 is an elevation of an automatic cut-off governor of my improved construction. Fig. 2 is a section on the line 22 of Fig. 1. Fig. 3 is a section on the same plane as that of Fig. 2, and illustrating a modified form of the governor. Fig. 4 is an elevation of a governor embodying the principles of my invention, and of the type particularly adapted for the control of the ignition means of internal combustion engines.

Fig. 5 is a section 011 the line 5-5 of Fig. 4.

My invention relates generally to improvements in governors or speed regulators, and

particularly of the type known as automaticcut-off governors. The governor herein described, however, Vmay be advantageously adapted for the regulation of throttle valves or the tripping gear of a Corliss engine. It may also be adapted with particular advantage for the regulation and control of spark producing means of internal-combustion engines, and particularly of that type commonly used for the impulsion of automobiles wherein the ignition thereof is produced by an electric spark. a

My present invention consists of the novel construction, combination and relative arrangement of parts by which a governorweight structure, utilizing in its operation both centrifugal force and inertia and balanced as to gravity, is produced, comprising a series of spring-held centrifugal inertia weights which operate positively and uniformly.

The principal objects of my invention are to improve and simplify governor means, to provide weight structures composed of few parts, balanced as to gravity with respect to their supports, and utilizing in its operation boththe centrifugal force or power and inertia of its members. 1

It is also my object to provide a governor means which will be extremely sensitive and responsive to changes in speed of rotation of the carrier therefor, which is accomplished arms 3, arranged at angles of 120 degrees apart. Pivotally mounted upon the outer ends of said arms are weights 4, provided with shoulders 5, which are adapted to engage with corresponding shoulders 6 formed on the ends of the arms 3, thereby limiting the swing or movement of said weights on the arms. It will be noted that the weights are segmental in form and that each is at the inner corner of the rear end mounted upon the ends of the arms 3 in such a manner as to swing in a plane at right angles with the axis of the shaft 1. Thus the bulk of each weight is at all times outside the path of travel and in advance of the pivot pins which attach the weights to the arms, and the maximum centrifugal power or effect and inertia of the weights is obtained while the device is in operation.

The weights 4 are centripetally tensioned by retractile coil springs 7 of suitable strength which are at each of their ends rigidly attached to the movable end of one of the weights. By this construction, friction, which might otherwise occur to a very limited extent,.at the points of attachment of the springs to the weights is entirely obviated and the entire tension of the springs is directed to the yieldable and equalized resistance of the outward movement of the weights due to their centrifugal power or effect and inertia while the device is in operation. V Y

Formed on or fixed to the pivoted ends of the weights 4 are inwardly-projecting arms 8, the outer ends of which are formed into toothed segments 9. These toothed segments 9 mesh with corresponding toothed segments ,10 formed on the outer ends of three radially arranged arms 11, which are formed on or fixed to a collar 12, the latter borne by the shaft 1 and normally rotating in unison therewith, but arranged to be oscillated thereabout.

A lug 13, upon the hub 2, constitutes a support for a lever 15 pinioned thereto at 14. Through a slot 16 is projected a roller 17 carried upon a pin 18, the latter rigidly mounted upon one of the three arms 11. Upon the lever 15 is an eccentric 19 adapted to be associated with devices to be reciprocated.

I11 Fig. 1 the parts of the governor are shown in full detail in positions assumed when at rest and the tension of the springs 7 is exerted to hold the weights 1 at their extreme inward limit of movement. The teeth of the segments 9 engage with the teeth of the segments 10 and hold the same together with the sleeve 12, lever 15 and eccentric 19, in such a position that the latter is removed to its limit of movement away from the shaft, imparting thereby the ll'lilXi-r mum latitude of motion to devices to be reciprocated. In dotted outline are represented the parts of the governor in positions assumed when the device is revolved at the greatest speed intended to be attained, the weights 4, through their centrifugal power or effect and inertia, overcoming the tension of the springs 7 and being thrown outwardly, the extent thereof being determined by the shoulders 5 and 6 on the weights and arms respectively. The toothed segments 9 engaging the toothed segments 10 partially rotate the sleeve 12 upon the shaft 1, which through the instrumentality of the lever 15, disposes the eccentric 19 in a position relatively nearer the center of the shaft impart ing thereby the minimum latitude of motion to devices to be reciprocated.

Referring now to Figs. at and 5 which illustrate the governor as particularly adapted to the control of ignition devices of internal-combustion engines: the construction is similar to that shown in Figs. 1 and 2 with the exception that the lever and eccentric are omitted and means are employed to advance and retard the spark-producing devices. This may be accomplished in various desirable ways, as, for instance, by securely fixing upon an ignitiondevice actuating shaft a sleeve, said shaft abutting the shaft 1. The manner herein shown is a looselymounted sleeve 12 upon the shaft 1, and formed integral with the sleeve 12 is a pinion 20 intended to operate and control the ignition devices.

The combustion of an explosive charge within a cylinder of an internal-combustion engine is not instantaneous, a slight interval of time being required therefor. The rapidity of combustion is substantially the same irrespective of engine speed. It will readily be understood that it is essential to the proper operation of an internal-combustion engine that the explosive charge within the working cylinder be fully ignited at the instant the piston begins its working stroke. My improved governor means is adapted to actuate the ignition mechanism at the proper point to ignite the charge in the working cylinder corresponding to the speed of the engine. In other words, the point of ignition is advanced as the engine speed is increased and retarded as the engine speed is decreased.

A further exception in Figs. 1 and 5 is that the toothed segments 9 and 10 are not concentric with the centers of the pivot pins between the weights 4 and arms 3 and the shaft 1. The distance from the center of the shaft 1 to the longer ends of the segments 10, or to the points marked a, is equal to the distance from the centers of the pivot pins between the weights 1 and arms 3, and the shorter ends of the segments 9 or the points marked 1;. Assuming this distance to be 100, for the purpose of comparison, the distance from the center of the shaft 1 to the shorter end of the segments 10, or to the points marked 0, is 90 as compared with 110, the distance from the centers of the pivot pins to the longer ends of the segments 9, or to the points marked cl. This particular construction of the segments 9 and 10 results in a more rapid, or relatively quicker action of the sleeve 12 and pinion 20 during the time the engine is operated at the minimum speed. The throw or swing of the weights 4 is uniform at all engine speeds from minimum to maximum. Assuming that the minimum speed is zero and the maximum speed is 100, when the engine is operated at 25 per cent, 50 per cent, and 75 per cent. of the maximum speed, the pinion 20 through the sleeve 12 is advanced respectively 10 per cent., 60 per cent. and 80 per cent. of its motion upon the shaft 1, and as a result thereof, the action of the ignition devices will be correspondingly advanced relative to the point at which ignition is effected when the engine is operated at the minimum speed.

By reference to Figs. 2 and 5 it will be observed that the distance from the center of the weight-supporting arm 3 to the center of the spring 7 is equal to that from the centers of the arm 3 to the arm 8 on the opposite side thereof. In consequence the tension of the spring 7 exactly balances the resistance to the arms 8 with respect to the weight-supporting arm 3.

In Fig. I have illustrated an adaptation of the governor means heretofore described and differing therefrom in that there are inwardly extending arms 8 on either side of the weights 4, terminating in gears 9 which engage gears 1O formed on the outer ends of arms 11 extending outwardly from two sleeves 12 loosely mounted on either side of the hub upon a shaft. Each sleeve, therefore, while governed by weight members in common may be made to perform work independently of, and differently from, the other, as, for instance, by the use of eccentric gears on the arms 8 and 11 which actuate, through the sleeve 12*, a pinion 20 'the latter having association with devices to be governed through the sleeve 12 and suitable means of communication therefrom, the method here shown being an eccentric disk upon the sleeve. The weightsupporting arms 3 are apertured to afford passage therethrough for the springs 7 which construction has the advantage of attaching the springs to the weights midway between the work performed.

It will readily be understood that minor changes in the shape and construction of the various parts of the governor may be made to suit different conditions without departing from the spirit of my invention and said governor, with slight variations, may readily be utilized for a number of purposes other than as herein illustrated and described.

I claim:

1. The combination with a shaft, of a member loosely mounted thereon, and associated with devices to be actuated, three radially arranged arms on said member, a carrier fixed on the shaft and provided with three radially arranged arms, an inertia centrifugal weight member pivotally mounted at one end to the outer end of each of the last mentioned arms, the bulk of which weight member being at all times outside the path of travel of the pivotal points between said weight members and the arms, means on said weight members and the arms to which they are pivoted for limiting the outward and inward swing of said arms, gear connections between portions of said weight members and the arms of the loosely mounted member, and three retractile springs arranged in the form of a triangle with their ends rigidly fixed to the movable ends of the weight members.

2. In a governor, the combination with a shaft, of a sleeve loosely mounted thereon and connected with devices to be governed, three radially arranged projections on said sleeve, a series of three pivotally mounted centrifu al inertia wei 'hts of segmental form carried by andradially arranged around the shaft, the bulk of each weight being always outside the path of travel of the points of pivotal connection of said weights, arms projecting inwardly from the pivoted ends of said weights, gear connections between the inner ends of the arms carried by the weights and the outer ends of the projections on the sleeves, and three retractile springs arranged in the form of an equilateral triangle, and the ends of which springs are immovably fixed to the free ends of the weights.

8. The combination with a shaft, of a member associated with devices to be actuated, which member is loosely mounted on the shaft, three radially arranged projections on said member, a carrier fixed on the shaft and provided with a series of three radially arranged arms, a segmental-shaped inertia centrifugal weight member pivotally mounted at one end to the outer end of each arm, the bulk of which weight member is always outside the path of travel of its point of pivotal connection, stops for limiting the inward and outward swing of said weight members, eccentric gear connections between portions of said inertia centrifugal weight members and the radially arranged projections of the member on the shaft, and retractile coil springs, the ends of which are rigidly fixed to the movable ends of the inertia centrifugal weight members.

In testimony whereof I hereunto afiix my signature in the presence of two witnesses, this 24th day of March, 1910.

ERNEST L. NANCE.

VVitnesses W. C. J OHAU'I'GEN, SAML. PLANT.

Copies of this patent may be obtained for five cents each, by addressing the Commissioner of Patents,

' Washington, D. G. 

